Holding Fast The Doctrines of Grace

Anointed Worship

For the last couple of weeks my husband and I have been talking about worship. More specifically, we have been reflecting on what exactly people mean when they use the term “anointed worship.” Is there really such a thing? If so, what determines whether worship is considered anointed or not? I find no verse in the Bible that speaks of this.

Is worship considered anointed because it produces a feeling? If so, haven’t we all been in meetings where we “felt” something during the worship but it is evident that others did not? Is worship anointed because you experienced something nice? Steven and I watched a worship video and we admittedly observed remarkable talent. We observed the lighting, the theatrical movements, the singers, the sounds, etc. We agreed that for many, this would be considered anointed. But, we couldn’t help but wonder if it really was more of a production passing itself off as anointed. Isn’t it rather self serving to want to feel something when worshiping God? If that is the goal, then doesn’t it become about us and not Jesus? Of course, the Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people, but worship is not for me to feel good, it is to glorify Jesus.

We’ve come to the conclusion that worship is a heart issue. If you have a heart for God then all worship is anointed – if, in fact, there really is such a thing. The anointing is not produced by a certain song or manipulated atmosphere. Rather it comes from places like a cold, damp, smelly prison cell. It is when the foundations shake and prison doors are thrown open because the saints, with bleeding stripes and surrendered wills, chose to exalt God in the midst of their suffering. That is anointed worship.

There is a firewall that prevents me from commenting on your blog. Otherwise, I would have commented on your wonderful post already! I will do so later on tonight!

Steven and I probably share much of the same experiences that you do. It is only within the last 2 years that God has delivered us from error to truth. In many way, God broke us down, but this He did only to build us up again. Thankfully our theology is being built on the sure foundation of the Word of God and not the flimsy one that experience and feeling provide.

You are most certainly a blessing to me my dear sister! And, I thank God for our friendship! Have a wonderful day my beautiful sister!

So true. I play the drums each week at my church so I’m often unable to sing with the body. I’m not good at memorizing words to worship songs and I can’t really sing well when I’m drumming. Anyway, when my wife is teaching SS with the pre-schoolers, I stay in the pew with the other children to try to model things like paying attention and focusing on what we’re singing(and yes, to keep them in line too). This past Sunday I had the privilege of singing with the body and it was the truth of what we were singing at certain points of the service that brought me to tears. I wept over the profound fact that I was once God’s enemy and now, because His blood has washed away my sins, I’m seated at His table.

Christina this is so true. My whole experience with worship in a Church setting and music is very similar to what you mentioned, stirred up emotions and man made excitement, often tears have absolutely nothing to do with the state of your heart or your motives. I remember sitting in my former Charismatic Church and being so confused. It was obviously emotional manipulation going on sometimes and it confused and honestly scared me for some of the people involved. This was really great, and I had the same experience, God had to break me down to see the truth, and He set me free!

“Isn’t it rather self serving to want to feel something when worshiping God?”

ABSOLUTELY!! I’m so glad you posted this Christina. I am always so edified by your posts.

The last 20 yrs the church has seen huge unbiblical changes in the area of what true corporate worship is. It is nearly always relegated to the singing part of the service. We call our choir and music leaders “Worship leaders” – and while this is true, technically we should also call the pastor who reads and teaches, the one who announces that the offering plate is coming around , and those who serve the communion elements “worship leaders”. These are all acts of worship that make up our corporate Lord’s Day worship – The foundation of which springs from our daily individual acts of worship which involves the complete surrender of our bodies to God.

Thank you again for another timely post!

Blessings on you today dear sister!
Diane

“For to from Him and through Him and to Him are all things To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 11:35-12:1

Excellent insights, Christina. I’ve actually been asked to write an article on worship for the Sovereign Grace Baptist Fellowship’s next quarterly issue of “The Sovereign Grace Messenger.” Mine will reflect upon worship through suffering, using the book of Job for the majority of supporting text. They thought it appropriate, given my condition. 🙂

Sadly, today, even the word “worship” has come to mean only one aspect of all our worship… when it is indeed, worshippers, who worship God in spirit and in truth, that the Father seeks.